Prospectors begin hunt for next gold nugget

Prospectors have the New South Wales south east in their sights although it is unlikely the region will return to intensive mining.

Some of the biggest gold hauls were early last century at Wolumla, Bermagui, and Bredbo on the Monaro.

One company, Tellus Resources, is looking for gold at Cobargo, Brogo, west of Merimbula and south west of Eden.

The Executive Director of Mineral Resources with State Trade and Investment, Brad Mullard, says the region is under intense scrutiny.

“A lot of newer technologies really relate to the ability to measure these properties from planes,” he said.

“Previously it was very difficult to actually acquire this data.

“You would either have to go in on foot or maybe vehicles.

“But in addition to that it is also the computing power that's now available,” Mr Mullard said.

Mr Mullard says the work is detailed.

“When we fly airborne surveys we might be measuring rock properties along the flight path every few metres.

“They could be as low as every seven to 10 metres, and we are taking a measurement and then we fly the flight path between 400 and 100 metres apart so it actually creates a very detailed map of the area,” Mr Mullard said.